The Fright Night reviews have been pouring in nce the film began early screenings on Thursday. But if you were hoping the early reviews would provide you with a good idea as to whether the Craig Gillespie helmed remake is worth watching or not, your hope was made in vain.

For every critic who seems to love the film, there’s another who despises it with a pason. Great films generally earn high marks across the board, while, as you’d expect, terrible films are traditionally panned by most who view them. So how do you gauge a picture that’s received spot-on split ratings?

You can research your tail off, and look to form a general idea based upon the webtes and print sources you trust, or you can save some time and confuon, while dropping $15 to check the film out yourself in order to reach your personal concluons.

While I’ll be headed to my local cinema (as soon as my broke ass gets paid) to give this one a chance, I can safely say that, based on the generalized opinions of critics, I’ll trim a few dollars from that $15 ticket price and check the film out in 2D: according to the vast majority who have already screened the picture, the 3D is underutilized (at best), and poorly executed (at worst).

I already learned my lesson with Captain America (don’t see the 3D transfer, you’ll kick yourself when it’s over for wasting a few extra bucks!): if you’ve been hearing the 3D is underwhelming, it probably is.

While not polar oppotes, it’s painfully evident that Heather and Andrew both took something completely different away from their viewing experience.

Bloody-disgusting: Heading over to the uber popular Bloody-disgusting.com, things are a bit more clear-cut, at least from their perspective. Chris Eggertsen (who’s one of the best columnists in the buness today) loathed the film, delivering a 3/10 score, noting that the “grand finale looks like something copped from a video game”. Fellow BD.com contributor “BC” agrees for the most part, scoring the film at 2/5 and addresng the fact that the picture suffers from “a total lack of personality”.

Fangoria: Longtime powerhouse, Fangoria welcomed the film with equally abysmal talk. Michael Gingold inserts his opinion, and it’s clear he had some challenges pinning down any endearing qualities to the film as he mply points out that, “this one makes all the wrong moves in updating Tom Holland’s 1985 favorite”. Mike dished out a harsh 1.5/4 Skull rating.
Joblo: Joblo’s Chris Bumbray seemed to view a completely different feature. Chris praises the film and ensures moviegoers that the film is, “totally worth checking out, and a surpring tasty late-summer treat.” Chris blessed the feature with a flattering 8/10 rating.

Cinemablend: Katey Rich, who reviewed the film for Cinemablend.com, claims Fright Night “feels much fresher than a lot of what has come down studio pikes this summer”, awarding it an above average rating of 3.5 of 5 stars.Hitfix: Hitfix’s Drew McWeeny, who seems to have a level head and fair cinematic taste, splits this one right down the middle, ting the picture a C+ rating while pointing out the fact that “when there's the feeling that things happen in your film because they have to, not for any motivated reason, it's hard to invest or take it seriously.” That’s not exactly a complimentary remark, but from the overall vibe I’m getting from the majority of the reviews I’ve tracked down, it may just be the most telling quote you’ll find in this article.

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HorrorBid: Here at HorrorBid, new contributor Mc_Fangirl added her opinion to the mix yesterday, praing the film in a manner I’ve yet to spot anywhere else. According to Fangirl, the film is a bona fide A- effort that is “Hands down, the best remake I've ever seen.” Fellow HorrorBid contributor Horrordaily also took the compliments to the extreme, dishing out another A rating, while echoing milar sentiments as those offered by Fangirl. Horrordaily boldly states “I have never had as much fun going to a movie as I did with Fright Night.” Yes, the overall scope of reviews is becoming more confung as this piece progresses!

Horror-movies.ca: Sam over at Horror-movies.ca keeps the potivity alive, announcing the film “wants to be an amung comedy horror ride, something to distract you and your mates on a Friday night, and on those grounds it’s extremely successful.” Sam issued a respectable 7/10 score to this latest remake.

Movieline: Michelle Orange, over at Movieline.com wasn’t quite as generous as the aforementioned Bidites. “Gillespie only really hits his stride during the second climax, where the clasc vampire themes — sex and represon — come into play.” notes Michelle, who rated the film an unspectacular 6.5 of 10.

Horrormovienews: While Bloody-disgusting and Fangoria were both brutal in their assessment on the picture, Horrormovienew.net contributor, Melissa Frolish was perhaps the least hospitable. According to Melissa, who scored the film a depresng 2/10 stars, “the new remake of Fright Night was indeed a disappointment to say the least.” She expands by issuing a strong warning, “save your time and money.” (Who the Hell am I to trust?)

It’s extremely evident to me that Fright Night is a film that must be viewed in order for one to form any senble opinion. There is virtually no constency in regards to critical acclaim, and I’ll admit, that alone frightens me. A genuinely great film doesn’t typically warrant ratings like 2/10, or 1.5/4.

That said it’s always been tough to invest in the opinions of others. We all function on different planes, and we all enjoy different entertainment mediums. Perhaps Fright Night is the astoundingly amazing film that Horrordaily and Chris Bumbray would have you believe. Maybe it’s the steaming pile of shit that Melissa Frolish and Chris Eggertsen have so promptly declared. Maybe, just maybe, Michelle Orange nailed this one on the head, and it falls somewhere just in between those drastically differing views!

What did you think of the Fright Night remake?

Matt_Molgaard
Saturday 8/20/2011 at 02:08 AM | 81160

Just a great article and breakdown, this is how you really need to decide walking into a movie if you're looking for reviews to drive you into the film itself.

thanks brother! I'm looking forward to seeing more viewer reviews as the next week unravels. I'm so uncertain about this one it's unreal.

Matt_Molgaard
Saturday 8/20/2011 at 02:28 AM | 81162

Same here my man. I am set to see it tomorrow hopefully for myself. I really expected mixed reactions so I am not totally surprised but what does surprise me is the more potive responses thus far. I didn't expect that but its a pleased surprise.

Very interesting takes from so many great horror tes, just a great way to break down these movies and something I hope you do in the future on big releases.

Great article as usual my friend. Always solid and this one gives so much information.

I hadn't realized there was such a varied response! A good deal of what I've personally encountered has been potive.

I'm hoping to get out to see this tomorrow, but I don't know that I could give it a fair and honest review. On one hand, I loved the original and I despise remakes, but on the other... I love Marti Noxon's work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I'm a fairly vocal fan of David Tennant, so...

I'm wondering if this won't just be one of those things you either love or hate.

dew
Saturday 8/20/2011 at 02:42 AM | 81166

Personally, I'd recommend a te called http://www.oh-the-horror.com/index.php. They recently did reviews of all the Fright Night films, and they even have reviews of some of the more obscure offerings you can think of. Blood Diner, To All a Goodnight, The Dorm that Dripped Blood, The Beyond, lent Night, Deadly Night 1-5, they're all there! Highly recommended.